Teenager battling cancer gets Christmas surprise

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A teenage Chiefs fan who has been battling difficult times received a very special surprise this Christmas.

“When we did go to the games, we tailgated and I love that so much,” said 15-year-old Faith Schneider, as she recalled some memorable moments before she was diagnosed with stage four Carcinoid cancer, which is a very rare small cell cancer typically found in adults, this past July.

“I got tickets, and we were second row, 50 yard line, on the Chiefs side, and that was like the best thing ever,” said Schneider.

Schneider is a huge Chiefs fan. This Christmas, her family arranged for elves to show up at her door with a very special surprise.

“She’s everything to us,” said her dad, Ron, “Anything we can do to help her out or give her any kind of joy.”

He said he wanted to bring some joy after some difficult months.

“It’s been a little rough, a lot of hands on health care and things like that,” Ron said.

“There were 3 elves at the door, and we answered the door, and they said we have a present for you,” said Schneider.

The Elves of Christmas Present Association surprises sick children and families who have experienced tragedy with special gifts at Christmas.

“It was a pro-bowl helmet and a Chiefs’ football, and it was signed by Alex Smith and Dexter McCluster and my helmet is signed by all the pro bowl players last year,” Schneider said.

Along with her presents, Chiefs players left her personal messages, which she could not believe.

“Just speechless…” she added.

“All the support, all the love and attention that she’s getting has been amazing,” said her father, Ron.

Faith’s family said throughout this tough time, Faith has been an inspiration to everyone.

“As her name is Faith, I mean, that’s never meant anything more than now,” Ron said.